Can-opener



Patented Oct. 25, I898.

H. E. RAYMOND.

CAN OPENER.

(Application filed July 27, 1897.}

(No Model.)

Wflimcoaoo v 1 H Raymond.

Gttomwq HARRY E. RAYMOND, OF NORWALK, CONNECTICUT.

CAN-OPENER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 613,076, dated October 25, 1898.

Application filed July 27,1897. Serial No. 646,140. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY E. RAYMOND, of Norwalk, in the county of Fairfield and State of Connecticut,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Can-Openers; and I do hereby declare the following; to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in kitchen utensils, and has more particular relation to can-openers.

The invention consists of the combination, with a suitable supporting-frame, of a clamp mounted thereon and adapted to engage a can and a rotatable cutter mounted on said clamp and adapted to cut the top of the can held thereby.

The invention also consists of certain other novel constructions, combinations, and arrangements of parts, all of which will be hereinafter more particularly set forth and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, Figure 1 represents a perspective view of the device embodying my invention, and Fig. 2 represents a top plan view of the same.

1 in the drawings represents the supporting-frame; 2, the can-supporting disk; 3, the adjustable clamp, and 4: the cutting-lever.

The frame 1 is preferably L-shaped, as shown in the drawings, and is provided in its horizontal arm with a screw-threaded Vertical passage 5, through which passes a thumbscrew 6, having an enlarged swivel-head 7. The disk 2 is rigidly connected to the vertical portion of the frame, so as to extend at right angles thereto and in a plane parallel with the horizontal portion of said frame, so that the device may be clamped upon a table, shelf, or other stationary article by tightening the screw 6. The rear surface of the vertical portion 1 is provided with a plurality of downwardly-projecting rack-teeth 8, the use of which will be hereinafter more particularly described. Said vertical portion of the frame is preferably formed dovetail in cross-section, so as to receive a slide 9, having a dovetailed groove formed therein. This slide is provided with two rearwardly-projecting apertured lugs 10, between the outer ends of which is pivoted a link 11. The racklever 12 is provided at its inner end with two spaced apertured lugs 13, between which is pivotally secured the outer end of the link ,teeth 8 for drawing the slide 9 downward by depressing the outer end of said lever 12. The said slide 9 carries the clamping-disk 3, which is provided 011 its under side with a plurality of pointed projections 15, adapted to enter the top of the can when the said disk is depressed to firmly clamp the can between said disk 3 and the disk 2, which latter is provided upon its upper surface with a plurality of serrations or pointed projections 16 to prevent the slipping of the can.

The cutting-lever 4 is provided at its inner end with a disk 17, pivotally mounted upon the upper surface of the disk 3, so as to be capable of rotation thereon. Said lever 4 is further provided with a vertical dovetail 1ongitudinal slot 18, in which is mounted a dovetail block 19. This block is provided upon its upper side with a vertical screw-threaded bolt 20, upon the upper end of which is mounted a thumb-nut 21. A cutting-knife 22 is secured to the under sideof said block 19, so as to project down below the lever.

It will be observed from the foregoing de scription that said knife 22 may be adjusted toward or away from the pivot-point of the lever 4 by simply moving the block 19 in the slot 18. The peculiar dovetail shape of the block 19 and the slot 18 permits of said block being wedged firmly in position in the slot by the tightening of the screw 21, so as to effectively avoid all danger of slipping. By means of the adjustment of said knife 22 the same may be employed in removing the tops from cans of different sizes.

It will further be observed that the movement of the lever 4 carries the knife 22 in a concentric circle'about the edge of the disk 3, so as to cut the top from a can resting upon the disk 2 and clamped in position by the disk 3. When a can is to be opened, the same is placed upon the disk 2 and the lever 12 operated to depress the clamping-disk 3, whereby the points 15 are forced into the top of the can and hold the same firmly against any lateral movement during the cutting operation. At

the same time that the points 15 are forced inthe top of the can the cutting-knife 2 also enters the tin. The operation of the lever 4: will now cause said knife to cut the top from the can in proximity to its periphery, leaving a small uncut portion in proximity to the slide 9 to act as a hinge for the cut portion of said top. It will be observed that the action of my improved can-opener is attended with very little exertion, as the can may be easily clamped and the respective disks and the cutting-lever 4 operated and the can as quickly removed. The construction and operation are very simple and cheap, but at the same time very efiective, as the clamp when once set firmly holds the can against any possible lateral movement which might be occasioned by the cutting action of the knife.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination with a support having teeth thereon, of a slide on said support, a

lever adapted to engage said teeth and a flexible connection between said slide and lever.

2. The combination with a support having teeth thereon, of a slide on said support, a lever adapted to engage said teeth, and a link pivotally connecting said slide and lever.

3. In a can-opener, the combination with the frame comprising a can-supporting disk having projections upon the upper surface thereof and an upright arm provided with teeth, of a slide on said arm, a disk secured to said slide having pointed projections upon the under side thereof, a cutting-lever mounted to turn on said disk, an operating-lever for the slide adapted to engage the teeth on said upright, and a link connecting said slide and said operating-lever, as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HARRY E. RAYMOND.

Witnesses:

CHARLEs l-I. WEED, CHAS. F. GREEN. 

